In response to the concern for missing children in Florida, the 1982 Florida Legislature
appropriated funds to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for the establishment
of the first state Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse (MEPIC)
in the nation. MEPIC was officially established in 1983 and since then has served
as a liaison between citizens, private organizations and law enforcement officials
regarding missing endangered persons information.

MEPIC is located in the Criminal Justice Information Services Program as part of
the FDLE Public Safety Services Division. Formerly known as the Missing Children
Information Clearinghouse, MEPIC was renamed in 2008 when the Florida Legislature
expanded the clearinghouse to include endangered missing adult cases.

MEPIC assists law enforcement and families in locating missing persons by providing
analytical services, collecting and disseminating relevant information and engaging
the public in the search for the missing person.

MEPIC also works together with other state clearinghouses, the National Center for
Missing and Exploited Children and INTERPOL to exchange information; tips and leads
about missing persons and to help provide each missing person with the best chance
of recovery no matter where they might have been taken.

In 2005, MEPIC began working in collaboration with the Medical Examiners Commission
on the Unidentified Deceased Initiative to help Florida families find the closure
that they deserve. Today, there is a MEPIC analyst who works exclusively on unidentified
cases as well as helping law enforcement to collect DNA samples to ensure that Florida
families can be notified if their loved one is located anywhere in the country.

MEPIC also has an Inspector who provides training and assistance to law enforcement
agencies on crimes against children and child death cases.

Additional services provided by MEPIC include the issuance of AMBER, Missing Child
and State Silver Alerts; creation of missing persons; flyers, training for law enforcement
agencies and public/private organizations regarding missing persons programs; a
directory of resources available for additional assistance in locating a child;
and development and distribution of safety publications that provide guidance on
how to keep you and your family safe.